Gate



Nov. 22, 1927. 1,650,213

L. HlTcHcocK GATE Filed Sept. l1. 1926 Patented Nov. 22, 1927.

LAWRENCE HITCHCOCK, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO.

GATE.

Application filed September 11, i926.. Serial No. 134,872.v

My invention relates to improvements in gates, and more particularly to that class of structures adapted to be opened and closed by operating levers and the mounting thereof and of,y the Yhinged gate member itself. The object of my invention is the provision of an extremely simple, cheap and efficient structure of this class, possessing strength, with a minimum of parts and certainty of operation and maintenance of closure, as desired. Y Y n v All structures of this class with which I am acquainted vnot only rely upon vlatching mechanism for maintaining vthe closure of the gate, whendesired, but separate external mounting mechanism ordinarily is contemplated for the actuating means, both for the gate and its latch. Y p, n

It has been my endeavor, accordingly, materially to simplifythe actuating means,

while so Jmounting the swinging gate as to obviate the requirement of any latch. Thus, my improved gate structure preferably is swung from one post, which also serves to support from its upper portion the necessary actuating mechanism, while the opposite gatev post is so spaced as to permit the gate to bear against it directly when in closed position, while a portion of the actuating means serves to maintain said gate temporarily locked in this abutting position. The features of my improvement may best be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l, is a perspective view of the structure showing the gate and its associated members in closed position.

Fig. 2, is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3, is a fragmentary view of the gate actuating mechanism; the members thereof being in the positions assumed for locking the lgate while closed, and

Fig. 4, is a similar view thereof showing the members in the positions assumed for locking the gate while open.

Throughout the several figures of the drawings I have employed the same character of reference to indicate similar parts.

The gate a is stoutly hung by hinges a to swing upon the post 7) from its left side, and directly engage or abut against the post c when in its closed position.

The actuating mechanism per se for said gate is shown in Figs. 3 and-4 in the two operative posit-ions thereof; the same being pivoted from the top of a short post d which' also acts as a stop for the gate in its open position. The several members comprise two of bolts j, while connecting wires It',

Lk unite the inner ends of said levers'with the loop h, and thereby, with thev actuating mechanism or knee-joint.

since the knee-joint is intermediafely weighted and its construction permits: it to.

throw slightly past the horizontal with. the free end of the bent larm fengaging the stop f', as shown in Figs. l and 3, it is seen that the gate isnormally locked in closed position, from which neither pressureynor winds directed fromveither side of the gate can dislodge it. y It is braced from' opening bythe weighted knee-joint, while it 1s prevented from swinging further by its engagement with aV face of the post c.

When, however, it is desired to o-pen the gate, a. sharp pull upon either of the ropes or cords y" will cause the corresponding operating lever y' to throw the knee-joint members rearwardly of the pivotal post d, with the gate` bearing against said post as a stop, in its fully open position.` as indicated in Fig. 4. As before, the gate is held against swinging movement or closure by the kweighted knee-joint in engagement with pivotal post d until it'is again actuated by one of the connected operating levers. This is of considerable advantage in practice for the reason that the gate and its attachments, which necessarily are loosely connected, nevertheless are withheld from wear, movement or rattling in stormy weather, either in the `closed or open positions.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that my improved gate mounting requires a minimum of additional parts, as compared with the ordinary gate construction. One of the `gate posts supports the opera-ting levers extending at a distance upon both sides of the gate, while the other post serves as a stop against which the gate closes. The short pivotal post for the actuating members is availed of for the stop when the gate is in its open position, while no latch mechanism is required.

rl`he improved construction herein disclosed comprises but few, simple and efficient parts, contributing to cheapness and avoid-V ing liability to getting out of order or breakage. The operating means are positioned approximately ata forty-five degree (Ll-50) angle with the gate, wherein the lmee-joint may be most efficiently operated to open and close that member, meanwhile looking it in either alternative position. The mounting of both actuatinglevei's directly upon one of the gate post-s avoids the provision of supporting structures at a distance from the ate.

The operating means, and particularly the lrnee-joint mechanism, comprise the pivoted metallic members @and f carried by the short post LZ andhinged intermediately of the gate by means of a simple eye-bolt a., which may be opened to accommodate the end of member slippedthrough an opening therein, and closed to form a simple and cheap loose connection for swingingand locking the gate in its diferent posit-ions.

Having now described the improved gate structure of my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, the following 1. In a structure of the class described, the combination with two spaced gate posts, of a gate hinged from one of said posts and free to swing .into and out of engagement with the other post, operating mechanism therefor, comprising pivoted flat metallic members united as a knee-joint, an eye-bolt con nection between one of said members and the gate, a pivotal stop post for said lrneejoint, actuating levers pivotally mounted at the upper end of the gate-liinging post respectively extending on both sides of said gate, and means connecting the levers intermediately of said linee-joint adapted to actuate it and the gate into alternative locked positions of the latter in engagement with the outer gate post or with the pivotal stop, substantially as set forth. 1

2. In a structure of the class described, t-he combination with two spaced gate posts, of a gate hinged from one of said posts and free normally to swing into and out vof engagement with the other of said posts, weighted linee-joint mechanism connected intermedi-f ately of said gate, including a pivoted angu lai member and stop adapted to 'be thrown out of alinement with itscoacting pivotalmember, a pivotal post for lsaid knee-joint positioned to bey positively engaged by the gate in its open position when locked by the knee-joint, Y-support-s upon the gate-hinging post, actuating levers pivotally mounted thereon and extendingv on both sides of said gate, and means respectively connecting said levers intermediately with the linee-joint mechanism for actuating it and the gate into rigidly locked open and closed positions, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I do now affix my signature.

LAVRENCE HITCHCOCK. 

